Houston Rockets
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
1510 Polk Street
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
Houston
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Downtown Houston arena, opened 2003; home of the Houston Rockets. A $180 million renovation ("Toyota Center ReImagined") was announced April 2026, with construction set to begin after the season and completion expected fall 2027
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
713-758-7200 (main); Tickets 1-866-4HOUTIX (1-866-446-8849)
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
TX
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Toyota Center
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
77002
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
Off-site surface lots/street parking and pre-booked third-party spots (from ~$1.75–$4 off-peak via ParkMobile/SpotHero); walk-in distant downtown lots
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
https://www.toyotacenter.com/directions-parking
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
Accessible parking available; details in the Accessibility Guide (https://www.toyotacenter.com/accessibility)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Overnight
Available (non-event), around $27
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Cashless garage — debit/credit and mobile payment (Apple Pay/Google Pay). Pre-paid via AXS App, ParkWhiz by Flash, SpotHero, ParkMobile
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
Tundra Garage uses tiered passes on Rockets game days — Green (Level 1), White (Level 2), Red (Level 3), Yellow (Levels 4–7). Garage parking is not available to non-passholders on Rockets game days. Premium guests have a private sky-bridge entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Strongly recommended — purchase through the ticket flow, the "Know Before You Go" email, AXS App (Rockets games), or ParkWhiz by Flash
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
Game-day/event rates typically $20–$30; non-game-day public parking around $4; overnight ~$27. Third-party reservations range roughly $1.75–$40 depending on day/time/demand
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
METRORail and METRO buses serve the arena; see Public Transit Options section
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
N/A — indoor arena (no designated tailgating; garage/lot parking only)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
La Branch St and Bell St (repaving as of April 2026); Polk St closed between Chartres St and Avenida de las Americas; I-59 southbound ramps to I-45 closed; construction between Toyota Center and George R. Brown Convention Center. Check Houston TranStar traffic map
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
Toyota Tundra Garage (2,500-space, seven-story garage on the south side); nearby surface lots and street parking; downtown garages (Lorenzo's Garage, Discovery Green Garage). Third-party options via ParkWhiz, SpotHero, ParkMobile
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
Airport connection
From IAH (George Bush Intercontinental) and HOU (Hobby), METRO bus/rail connections or rideshare reach downtown; no direct rail to either airport
Source statement; not independently verified.
App
RideMETRO app and METRO real-time tools; Moovit also provides routing. METRO info line 713-635-4000
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
METRORail Red Line to a downtown station (e.g., Central Station Rusk / Bell) for car-free access
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
METRO bus routes serving the area include 6, 11, 40, 41, 51, 52, 137, and 244; nearest stops at Fannin St @ Polk St and Fannin St @ Clay St (~2-minute walk)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
METRO fares via the METRO Q card or RideMETRO app; standard local fare applies (verify current fare at RideMETRO.org)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
N/A — landlocked downtown arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
Central Station Rusk (METRORail), about a 6-minute walk; Bell Station is also nearby on the Red Line
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
METRORail Red Line (700), Green Line (800), and Purple Line (900) serve downtown stations near the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Rail avoids game-day parking and street closures; METRO offers 100% accessible buses and METROLift paratransit for guests with disabilities
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
~2–6 minute walk from nearest rail/bus stops to arena entrances
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Accessibility
METROLift paratransit available (713-225-0119); 100% accessible METRO buses
Source statement; not independently verified.
Cost
N/A — no official arena shuttle published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
N/A — no official arena shuttle published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
METRO is the primary mass-transit access; contact 713-635-4000 or RideMETRO.org/ToyotaCenter
Source statement; not independently verified.
Operator
N/A — no official arena shuttle published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Pickup
N/A — no official arena shuttle published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Routes
No dedicated official arena shuttle published; METRO transit (rail/bus) is the promoted option
Source statement; not independently verified.
Schedule
N/A — no official arena shuttle published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Share cost
N/A — no active bike-share program
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share distance
N/A — no active bike-share program (as of June 2026)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share station
None currently active nearby — Houston BCycle bike-share program was discontinued June 30, 2024
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Polk Street sidewalk remains open to bicycle/pedestrian traffic despite vehicle closure; use city bike racks and lock to fixed racks on surrounding streets
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
Accessible parking available in the Tundra Garage; details provided in the Accessibility Guide
Source statement; not independently verified.
Assistive listening
Free assistive listening receivers available at any Guest Experience or Concierge location with valid ID (recommended for mild-to-moderate hearing loss)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
713-758-7200; guestservices@rocketball.com; Guest Experience across from Section 125 (Main Concourse) or across from Section 434 (Upper Concourse). Guide: https://www.toyotacenter.com/accessibility
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
Accessible drop-off available near arena entrances; METROLift paratransit serves the venue
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Toyota Center states it meets or exceeds all structural and service requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with accessible seating offered in every area of the building
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
All restrooms meet or exceed ADA specifications
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Certified service animals welcome; must remain on leash or in harness at all times. Emotional support animals are not permitted
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Accessible/wheelchair seating spread throughout the venue at the top of most sections (e.g., Row 14 in Sections 401 and 418); companion seating available. Wheelchair escorts and storage provided via Guest Experience
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Yes — Toyota Center is fully cashless; debit/credit and mobile pay (Apple Pay/Google Pay) only
Source statement; not independently verified.
Craft beer
Local Houston craft beers, including Clutch City Lager; HTX Brew & Grub; Corona Beach House near Section 113; Jack Daniel's Bar behind Section 116; craft-beer/cocktail carts throughout the concourses
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Clutch City Lager, a local Houston craft beer, is branded as a nod to the Rockets' "Clutch City" back-to-back championship era
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
HTX Brew & Grub (Houston craft beer + game-day food); Saltgrass Steakhouse; Hou BBQ; Tex-Mex, burgers and pizza stands throughout the concourses. Concessions by Levy Restaurants
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
Saltgrass Steakhouse stand, Hou BBQ, HTX Brew & Grub, Corona Beach House (Sec 113), Jack Daniel's Bar (behind Sec 116); premium: Sire Spirits Social Club, Golden Nugget Club, Lexus Lounge, Frost East Club
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside Toyota Center
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
AXS App (Rockets parking), ParkWhiz by Flash, SpotHero, ParkMobile
Source statement; not independently verified.
Signature food
Texas-style barbecue (Hou BBQ stands) — brisket nachos and barbecue plates; Saltgrass Steakhouse stand items (Nashville hot chicken tenders, brisket nachos) on the 100 level
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
Populous (then HOK Sport), with Morris Architects and John Chase Architects
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
~US$235 million (approx. $411 million in 2025 dollars)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Hosted the 2006 and 2013 NBA All-Star Games; numerous Rockets playoff runs; major concerts and events. (1994/1995 Rockets titles predate the arena — won at The Summit.)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The Rockets' two NBA championships (1994, 1995) were won before Toyota Center opened, but the title banners hang in the current arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
2003 (opened October 6, 2003)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
18,104 for basketball at opening
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
Toyota Center (named under a naming-rights deal with Toyota from opening)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
$180 million "Toyota Center ReImagined" renovation announced April 2026 (Mayor John Whitmire) — includes a nearly 20,000-sq-ft glass-façade atrium at Polk and La Branch streets and 3,000+ sq ft covered outdoor gathering space; construction to begin after the season, completion expected fall 2027
Source statement; not independently verified.
Retired numbers
Rockets retired numbers displayed as banners — 11 (Yao Ming), 22 (Clyde Drexler), 23 (Calvin Murphy), 24 (Moses Malone), 34 (Hakeem Olajuwon), 44 (Rudy Tomjanovich), 45 (Rudy Tomjanovich's? — note: 45 is Rudy T's coaching/no; verify) — seven retired numbers total (11, 22, 23, 24, 34, 44, 45); plus 1994 and 1995 NBA Championship banners
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
~18,055–18,300 for Rockets basketball (commonly listed 18,055; up to 18,300 in some configurations); up to ~19,000 for concerts
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevation
Downtown Houston sits roughly 50 ft (~15 m) above sea level
Source statement; not independently verified.
Levels
Multiple levels — Lower (100s) concourse, suite/club levels, and Upper (400s) concourse
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
~103 luxury suites and ~2,900 club seats; club lounges including Lexus Lounge, Woodforest Club, Platinum Lounge (floor level), Frost East Club, and Sire Spirits Social Club / Golden Nugget Club premium areas
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
Primary tenant is the Houston Rockets (NBA). Historically hosted AHL/minor-league hockey (Houston Aeros, through 2013); currently no permanent co-tenant — hosts concerts and events
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood basketball court (indoor)
Source statement; not independently verified.